Squeeze treatment for in situ scavenging of hydrogen sulfide

ABSTRACT

A method of performing a squeeze treatment comprises pumping a treatment fluid under pressure through a wellbore into a subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid includes a hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound that adsorbs onto the subterranean formation in a region around the wellbore. Production fluids are then allowed to flow from the subterranean formation into the wellbore, wherein the production fluids contact the adsorbed hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound as the production fluids flow through the region around the wellbore, and wherein the production fluids contain hydrogen sulfide that reacts with the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound to reduce an amount of hydrogen sulfide in the production fluids before the production fluids flow into the wellbore.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 15/494,728 filed on Apr. 24, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 14/108,587 filed on Dec. 17, 2013 (U.S. Pat. No. 9,631,467), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/739,382, filed on Dec. 19, 2012.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a process of chemical treatment of production fluids in a subterranean formation.

Background of the Related Art

Production fluids that are produced from subterranean formation will often contain hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). Production fluids that include a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide are sometimes referred to as being “sour” and those production fluids that include little or no hydrogen sulfide are sometimes referred to as being “sweet.” Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic and pungent gas and, because it behaves as a weak acid in water, can cause corrosion of steel equipment and pipelines. Natural gas must ordinarily contain less than 4 parts per million (ppm) of hydrogen sulfide before it can be sold. Accordingly, production fluids may be “sweetened” through a process of removing the hydrogen sulfide. Typical hydrogen sulfide removal processes use an active treatment compound that reacts with the hydrogen sulfide.

Common sweetening processes pass the already produced production fluids through equipment where the hydrogen sulfide is contacted with an active treatment compound referred to as a “hydrogen sulfide scavenger” or, more simply, a “scavenger.” The hydrogen sulfide scavenger reacts with the toxic hydrogen sulfide to form a nontoxic compound. Liquid scavengers, for example, may be injected into a pipeline or processing equipment.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of performing a squeeze treatment. The method comprises pumping a treatment fluid under pressure through a wellbore into a subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid includes a hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound that adsorbs onto the subterranean formation in a region around the wellbore. Production fluids are then allowed to flow from the subterranean formation into the wellbore, wherein the production fluids contact the adsorbed hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound as the production fluids flow through the region around the wellbore, and wherein the production fluids contain hydrogen sulfide that reacts with the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound to reduce an amount of hydrogen sulfide in the production fluids before the production fluids flow into the wellbore.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a squeeze treatment including a hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound. A “squeeze treatment” is a process of delivering a treatment fluid into a treatment zone of a subterranean formation by pumping the treatment fluid downhole under pressure, then shutting in the treatment fluid for a period of time to allow the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound to adsorb onto the surfaces of the formation before producing additional production fluids. In one non-limiting example, the treatment fluid may be shut in for a predetermined period of time, such as between 12 and 16 hours or perhaps longer. A squeeze treatment may, in accordance with the present invention, use a treatment fluid with any of a wide variety of hydrogen sulfide scavenging compounds and their combinations.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of performing a squeeze treatment for scavenging hydrogen sulfide. The method comprises pumping a treatment fluid under pressure through a wellbore into a subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid includes a hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound that adsorbs onto the subterranean formation in a region around the wellbore. Production fluids are then allowed to flow from the subterranean formation into the wellbore. The production fluids contact the adsorbed hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound as the production fluids flow through the region around the wellbore. Accordingly, the hydrogen sulfide in the production fluids will react with the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound to reduce an amount of hydrogen sulfide in the production fluids before the production fluids flow into the wellbore.

In a further embodiment, the method includes monitoring the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the production fluids flowing from the subterranean formation through the wellbore. In response to the concentration of hydrogen sulfide exceeding a threshold concentration, the method may stop the flow of production fluids from the subterranean formation into the wellbore, then pump an additional amount of the treatment fluid under pressure through the wellbore into the subterranean formation, and maintain the treatment fluid in the region around the wellbore for a predetermined period of time, before restarting the flow of production fluids from the subterranean formation into the wellbore. In this manner, the amount of the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound adsorbed onto the surfaces of the subterranean formation can be replenished at any time that the amount of the hydrogen sulfide in the produced fluid begins to rise above a desired level.

Embodiments of the present invention may use any one or more of a broad range of hydrogen sulfide scavenging compounds. The hydrogen sulfide scavenging compounds may be those having no amine functionalities. However, the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compounds may include more traditional amine-based hydrogen sulfide scavengers, such as a triazine or amino alcohols such as mono, di or tri-ethanolamine. In a still further embodiment, the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compounds are functionalized with a variety of functional groups such as a phosphate group, phosphonate group, sulfate group, sulfonate group, or hydroxyl group. In a first option, the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compounds include two phosphate groups or two sulfate groups. In a second option, the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compounds includes at least two hydroxyl groups. The present invention may also use a hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound that is a reaction product of a carboxylic acid and an aldehyde (alpha-hydroxy alkyl ester) or a reaction product of an alcohol and an aldehyde (alpha-hydroxy alkyl ether). These later two classes of hydrogen sulfide scavenging compounds are described in greater detail below.

Embodiments of the invention may use a treatment fluid that includes between 5 and 20 volume percent of a hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound, or between 10 and 15 volume percent of the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound. Optionally, the treatment fluid may further include a mixture of water and ethanol, such as a 50/50 mixture of water and ethanol.

The hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound preferably exhibits rock-surface adsorption, sulfide/mercaptan scavenging properties, and compatibility with high brine fluids both before and after the treatment compound reacts with sulfide/mercaptan species. After the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound has been introduced into the formation, the compound absorbs onto the surfaces of the subterranean rock formation. The desired adsorption is provided by the chemical functionalities within the molecular structure of the treatment compound. For example, glycerol bis hemiformal includes three hydroxyl groups and two ether linkages. It is believed that the oxygenation provided by the hydroxyl groups, ether linkages and other groups such as phosphates and sulfates provides the treatment compound with the ability to adsorb onto the surface of the formation.

After the treatment compound has been successfully squeezed into the formation and adsorbed on the surface of the formation, the pressure in the well may be reduced to allow formation fluids to be produced from the formation and brought up through the well. Typical formation fluids will include connate water or brine in a mixture with liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons that contain sulfur-containing compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide or mercaptans. As those formation fluids flow through the formation toward the well, the adsorbed hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound will come into contact with the sulfur-containing compounds. The hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound may then react with the sulfur-containing compounds. It should be appreciated that having the treatment compound adsorbed on the surface of the formation will increase the contact time with formation fluids, thereby increasing the likelihood of reacting with more of the sulfur-containing compounds.

Although a squeeze treatment in accordance with the present invention may be formulated and performed solely to deliver the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compounds into the formation, a squeeze treatment may also include other compositions that provide other beneficial effects. For example, the squeeze treatment may also include a scale inhibitor.

Due to process limitations in removing hydrogen sulfide from a topside application where the fluids containing hydrogen sulfide have already been produced from the well, the ratio of hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound to hydrogen sulfide is typically about 20:1. This ratio is largely a practical function of the small amount of time over which the hydrogen sulfide is in contact with the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound. However, when the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound is part of a squeeze treatment in accordance with the present invention, the production fluids pass over the rock that has absorbed the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound. Due to the high amount of surface area within this region of the subterranean formation, the contact time is much longer and the contact is more efficient. Accordingly, a ratio of about 12:1 between the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound and hydrogen sulfide is expected in a squeeze treatment. Furthermore, the squeeze treatment avoids the need for a topside scavenging process, which is particularly beneficial for a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) or processing facility. Yet another benefit of the present squeeze treatment is that the in situ scavenging of hydrogen sulfide will continue to scavenge without being affected by topside process outages. By contrast, a simple pump failure can have a devastating affect a topside scavenging process and result in the produced fluids having a high hydrogen sulfide content.

Alpha-Hydroxy Alkyl Esters

The method may use any one or more of a broad range of alpha-hydroxy alkyl esters as a hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound. One embodiment of the alpha-hydroxy alkyl ester is the reaction product of a carboxylic acid and an aldehyde. Optionally, the carboxylic acid may be a mono carboxylic acid, or an oligomeric or polymeric carboxylic acid. Independently, the carboxylic acid may be saturated, unsaturated or aromatic. The alpha-hydroxy alkyl ester may also contain other products resulting from the reactions between aldehydes and carboxylic acids, and they may also be amine-free.

Another embodiment of the alpha-hydroxy alkyl ester has no nitrogen or basic nitrogen (amine functionalities). In a still further embodiment, the alpha-hydroxy alkyl ester is functionalized with a phosphate group, phosphonate group, sulfate group, sulfonate group, or hydroxyl group. In a first option, the alpha-hydroxy alkyl ester includes two phosphate groups or two sulfate groups. In a second option, the alpha-hydroxy alkyl ester includes at least two hydroxyl groups.

In a still further embodiment, the hydrogen sulfide scavenger(s) may be reaction product(s) of a monocarboxylic acid, dicarboxylic acid, oligomeric or polymeric carboxylic acid and an aldehyde, dialdehyde, oligomeric aldehyde, or polymeric aldehyde. Accordingly, these reaction products may include polyester or cyclic di-esters or some combinations thereof.

Specific example of alpha-hydroxy alkyl esters that may be used in the methods of the present invention include, without limitation, bis(hydroxymethyl) Maleate; (2E,4E)-hydroxymethyl hexa-2,4-dienoate; (E)-hydroxymethyl but-2-enoate; (E)-bis(hydroxymethyl) O,O′-(2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diyl) difumarate; hydroxymethyl 6-(2,5-dioxo-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)hexanoate; sorbic acid, and combinations thereof.

Generic Structure

where: R=aliphatic, cyclic, acyclic, saturated, olefinic, aromatic; and R′═H, aliphatic, cyclic, acyclic, saturated, olefinic, aromatic.

Example Preparation

Specific Examples

where: R=aliphatic, cyclic, acyclic, saturated, olefinic, aromatic; R₁═H, aliphatic, cyclic, acyclic, saturated, olefinic, aromatic; A=—OH, —OPO₃M, —SO₃M; —PO₃M₂; —OSO₃M

M=H or metal ion; and

n=between 2 and 100 (preferably between 5 and 50, and more preferably between 10 and 20).

Alpha-Hydroxy Alkyl Ethers

The method may use any one or more of a broad range of alpha-hydroxy alkyl ethers as a hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound. One embodiment of the alpha-hydroxy alkyl ether is the reaction product on an alcohol and an aldehyde. Another embodiment of the alpha-hydroxy alkyl ether has no nitrogen or basic nitrogen (amine functionalities). In a still further embodiment, the alpha-hydroxy alkyl ether is functionalized with a phosphate group, phosphonate group, sulfate group, sulfonate group, or hydroxyl group. In a first option, the alpha-hydroxy alkyl ether includes two phosphate groups or two sulfate groups. In a second option, the alpha-hydroxy alkyl ether includes at least two hydroxyl groups.

In specific embodiments, the alpha-hydroxy alkyl ether is glycerol bis hemiformal, glycerol bis hemiformal mono phosphate ether, oligomeric glycerol bis hemiformal di-phosphate ether, glycerol bis hemiformal mono sulfate ether, oligomeric glycerol bis hemiformal di-sulfate ether, and combinations thereof. In one example, glycerol bis hemiformal may be formed by the reaction of formaldehyde and glycerol.

Generic Structure

where: R=aliphatic, cyclic, acyclic, saturated, olefinic, aromatic; R′═H, aliphatic, cyclic, acyclic, saturated, olefinic, aromatic; and A=—OH, —OPO₃M, —SO₃M, —PO₃M₂, —OSO₃M.

Example Preparation

Specific Examples

where: M=H or metal ion.

Examples

Performance Evaluation of Hydrogen Sulfide Scavenging Compounds

The performance of various hydrogen sulfide scavenging compounds was measured using a dynamic testing apparatus. A cadmium chloride solution was prepared by adding 125 grams of CdCl₂×2.5H₂O to a small amount of water and dilution to 1 liter. Next, a 0.01 molar concentration solution of HCl is made using 8.5 milliters of concentrated HCl diluted to 1 liter. A 0.1N iodine solution and 0.1N Na₂S₂O₃ solution were purchased for the iodiometric titrations along with a starch reagent.

A dynamic testing apparatus was used to perform a dynamic test as described in ASTM-D5705. Two sparging flasks were filled with the CdCl₂ solution and 15 ml of the 0.01M HCl solution. The two flasks were connected using ⅝″ ID tubing. One of the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compounds was then placed into an empty sparging flask, which was itself connected by tubing to the flasks containing the CdCl₂ solutions. The system was then purged with nitrogen gas to displace any hydrogen sulfide from the fluid medium. CdS production is indicated by the formation of a yellow precipitate. A sour fluid sample is dosed with the scavenger chemistry that is to be screened, sealed and placed into a heated mixing oven to simulate heated agitation.

The scrubbed CdS from the flasks is removed once the hydrogen sulfide has been completely purged and is placed into a beaker for titration. A magnetic stir bead is added to the beaker and placed onto a stir plate. Iodine solution and starch are added until the mixture has changed to the color of the iodine. Na₂S₂O₃ was then used to titrate the iodine/CdS mixture. The CdS mixture was then titrated until the solution turned clear (endpoint). A calculation determined the remaining hydrogen sulfide using the results from the titration. This procedure allowed for measurement of H₂S in the original fluid medium without interference from the reaction product of the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound and H₂S.

TABLE 1 Results of Performance Testing Hydrogen Sulfide Extent of Removed in Liquid Reaction Scavenger Composition Phase (%) (%) Glycerol bis-hemiformal 100 19.50 Glycerol hemiformal phosphate ester 94 20.38 Triazine 100 25 Glycerol Bis maleic acid adduct 87 25.30 Glycerol propionic acid adduct 85 29.71 Glycerol Oligomer Bis propionic 81 24.43 acid adduct Glycerol oligomer Bis 85 18.28 propionaldehyde adduct

Table 1 shows the efficacy of a hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound in terms of the percent of H₂S removed and the percent extent of reaction. The percent of H₂S removed is related to the overall scavenging capacity of the chemical. A high percent of percent of H₂S removed is desired. The percent extent of reaction is calculated based on the ratio of the chemical's theoretical capacity versus the actual capacity. It is desired to have a high percent extent of reaction indicating that the scavenger molecule is reacting preferentially with the sulfur species to a greater extent so as not to be wasted in the scavenging process. Depending upon the chemical application a more prolonged effect of H₂S may be desired versus a fast acting scavenging agent.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The terms “preferably,” “preferred,” “prefer,” “optionally,” “may,” and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or steps plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but it is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A squeeze treatment method for reducing the amount of hydrogen sulfide in a hydrocarbon-containing fluid, comprising: pumping a treatment fluid under pressure through a wellbore into a subterranean formation and maintaining the treatment fluid in the region around the wellbore for a predetermined period of time, wherein the treatment fluid includes a hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound that adsorbs onto the subterranean formation in a region around the wellbore; flowing production fluids from the subterranean formation into the wellbore, wherein the production fluids contact the adsorbed hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound as the production fluids flow through the region around the wellbore, and wherein the production fluids contain hydrogen sulfide that reacts with the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound to reduce an amount of hydrogen sulfide in the production fluids before the production fluids flow into the wellbore, monitoring the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the production fluids flowing from the subterranean formation through the wellbore; and in response to the concentration of hydrogen sulfide exceeding a threshold concentration, stopping the flow of production fluids from the subterranean formation into the wellbore, then pumping an additional amount of the treatment fluid under pressure through the wellbore into the subterranean formation, then maintaining the treatment fluid in the region around the wellbore for a predetermined period of time, and then restarting the flow of production fluids from the subterranean formation into the wellbore, wherein the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound is an alpha-hydroxy alkyl ester functionalized with a phosphate group, phosphonate group, sulfate group, sulfonate group, or hydroxyl group; or an alpha-hydroxy alkyl ether functionalized with a phosphate group, phosphonate group, sulfate group, sulfonate group, or hydroxyl group.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined period of time is between 12 and 16 hours.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined period of time is greater than 16 hours.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound is functionalized with at least one functional group selected from a phosphate group, phosphonate group, sulfonate group and a sulfate group.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound is functionalized with two phosphate groups or two sulfate groups.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound is functionalized with two phosphonate groups or two sulfonate groups.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound is functionalized with at least two hydroxyl groups.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound is amine-free.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the treatment fluid includes between 5 and 20 volume percent of the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the treatment fluid includes between 10 and 15 volume percent of the hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the treatment fluid includes a mixture of water and ethanol.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the treatment fluid includes a component selected from scale inhibitors, asphaltene inhibitors, biocides, and combinations thereof.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the ratio of hydrogen sulfide scavenging compound to hydrogen sulfide is about 12:1 in the production fluid. 